Is there a required age to set up a supported living service? Can the registered person be 20 years old?

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Mary,

Thank you for your very interesting question.

There is no set age limit, either young or old, to be the owner or Manager of any Registered Adult Social Care Service but a significant process has to be gone through to gain that registration.

In setting up a supported living service you will be registering with CQC for community services (i.e. care in people’s own homes). Do not attempt to register for residential services because that is registration for a care home.

If you are registering as the Manager (or the provider) you will have to demonstrate experience both in terms of length of time and some management experience. You will also need to achieve a management qualification which could be a condition of registration.

Your question is challenging because you could have four years of experience, some qualifications and some management experience or you could have the housing and be intending to employ a manager.

I do not believe that CQC would reject your application on the grounds of age but they must gain the reassurance about experience both in care and management, qualification and what part you will be playing in the daily management of the service.

I would be happy to discuss this with you further on the telephone. Please email me back if you would like to do this.

Best wishes.

Sheila